Duke Of Arrakis may be built differently to his half-brother Shangri La Express, but he’s making an equally strong impression after an impressive debut victory at Randwick’s Kensington track.
While Shangri La Express made a fast start to his career with back-to-back wins as a two-year-old and later placed in the 2024 Todman Stakes (1200m), Duke Of Arrakis has taken a more gradual path. Despite that, co-trainer Adrian Bott believes his upside is significant.
“His half relation showed a little bit more precocity than what he has. Physically, he has still got a bit of maturing to do,” Bott said.
“He will continue to fill out and he is going to be a much better three-year-old so I don’t think we will push too far into a winter campaign.
“I just wanted to do enough to get him seasoned because I think there are some big races for him in the spring.”
Guided by jockey Regan Bayliss, Duke Of Arrakis ($12) was sharp out of the gates and settled just behind the early pace. The most striking part of his run came in the final 200 metres, where he sliced through a narrow opening to win impressively.
Bott noted the colt by Written Tycoon is likely to thrive over more ground than the 1150 metres of the TAB Handicap and suggested that his performance on debut underscored his natural talent.
“I think he’s going to be most effective once we can get him to that 1400, 1600-metre range,” he said.
“That’s the exciting part. He has shown class today to win in that fashion.
“We will see what’s around for him now, whether there is another run we can give him before we tip him out.
“But he has got a lovely profile and he’ll keep improving every time he steps out.”
In other news on the Kensington track, Tympanist closed the curtain on his racing career with a fitting win in the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (2400m), bringing up his seventh career victory—six of which came on this very circuit.
Trainer David Payne confirmed that retirement was the plan, despite the farewell win, acknowledging Tympanist’s impressive return of over $380,000 in prizemoney across 52 starts.
“He’s done enough for us. You can’t keep going, you don’t want blood out of a stone,” Payne said.
“He is the most beautiful horse. He’s a gentle giant. Nothing fazes him, he is kind, I want him to go to a good home.”
